|
The World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) that took place in Copenhagen in March 1995 resulted in adopting a set of recommendations focusing on three main themes: poverty eradication, productive employment and social integration. The participating countries in the Summit took upon themselves to prepare, design and implement the necessary plans and strategies to implement the recommendations of the Summit.
Unfortunately, the national report presented by the Lebanese Government to the Summit (1995) was prepared in the absence of a comprehensive set of national up-to-date data on the three major themes of the Summit. However, empirical observations included in the report indicated the presence of serious problems related to poverty, employment and social integration in the country. Since then, the country undertook several studies and surveys aiming at rebuilding the national statistical data-base on issues of concern, specifically households, living conditions, employment, education and health issues. In addition, 1995 presented a milestone for Lebanon in terms of the continued implementation of its National Emergency Reconstruction Plan (NERP- later to become Horizon2000) for post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation, as well as monetary stabilization.
During the last five years following the WSSD, Lebanon underwent substantial political, social and economic changes. The period witnessed the continued execution of national rehabilitation and reconstruction plans, as well as fiscal and monetary policies. In addition, some progress has been achieved in terms of increased- though modest- public political participation. In 1996, the country witnessed its second parliamentary elections, although with relatively low levels of public participation due to political constraints and uncertainties. Also, in 1998, municipal elections took place in Lebanon, the first since 1963, with a relatively acceptable level of public participation.
|
Lebanon
